Irwin Mitchell has assisted Mr Jonathan Hook, a soldier in the Royal Artillery, to obtain compensation after he was injured during a training exercise.
Mr Hook was taking part in a training exercise where he was required to undertake a simulated evacuation of an injured colleague from a combat situation.
The training was taking place outside and there was snow on the ground at the time.
Mr Hook was paired with a colleague who was substantially larger than he was. During the exercise our client was ordered by the NCO in charge to lift this colleague onto his shoulder. Whilst attempting to do this Mr Hook's leg gave way and he sustained an injury to his Cruciate ligament and cartilage of his right knee.
Prior to this incident Mr Hook had decided to leave the Army and a date for his discharge had been set.
The extent of the injury to Mr Hook's knee was not initially diagnosed by the Army medics. It was only after he had been discharged from the Forces that he received a full and correct diagnosis and was able to get the appropriate surgery for his injury.
The injury prevented Mr Hook from securing work following his discharge as potential employers were reluctant to employ someone who was undergoing treatment for a knee injury.
Following surgery, and because of the difficulties in finding employment, Mr Hook decided to seek additional qualification and embarked on a course of further study.
Irwin Mitchell's Leeds Personal Injury Team assisted Mr Hook in obtaining £36,000 in compensation for his injury, out of pocket expenses and the loss of earnings following his discharge from the Army.